I want a really good digital camera thats less than $300. Any suggestions?

I want it mainly for taking really good, beautiful pictures. I mean professional-looking pics. Not just average, hanging out with friend- type scenario pics. I want a camera that lets me create art. But keep in mind it needs to be digital and under 300 bucks, plus if you know of one that isn't a battery eater like the Kodak EasyShare C533 that I just got, please list that too. :p~

Every camera has its pro's and cons. frankly- many of the better sub compact cameras actually take just as good looking photos as the more 'prosumer' variety, you just don't get the control you're looking for. And- your $300 limit leaves out the DSLRs.

You may be able to pick up a used Minolta A2 for $300 off of ebay. There's nothing quite like that camera... but, here's a suggestion:

The Fuji S6000fd. With a 28-300mm manual zoom, it puts a really useful range of zoom in your hand. Much more usable than an electronic zoom. Also- since the noise is so well controlled, the S6000fd provides really low noise low ISO photos that rival the look of a DSLR, and clean ISO 400 and usable ISO800 shots. Only 6Mpix, but the resolution will rival any 8Mpix camera. And... only $300.

detailed review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm...

Here's another option under $300. You don't get the wide angle and manual zoom, but you do get excellent image quality, controls, image stabilization, a smaller package and the Canon brand name. The A710IS
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona71...


Or- the Panasonic FZ8. The latest incarnation of Panny's superzoom semi-compact. Great optics and capability and image stabilization. A huge 12x 36-432mm zoom (for bird watching?). Also under $3 bills
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoni...

these aren't the only choices- but certainly some good ones.

i would definitly recommend Olympus Stylus 740. You can do a million things with it. It even lets you take pictures during the night! the pictures end up looking proffesional. none of them turn blurry (if you turn it to the right thing) cause theres this thing where if your hands are shaking, the picture will still turn out good (my hands wiggle A LOT). And the battery is rechargable. Takes four hours to recharge, but then lasts about 8 hours, so its worth the wait. i got my for $230. good luck!

Well if you like plenty of zoom, the camera I bought my daughter for Christmas should be well worth it. The Fugifilm FinePix S5200. Excellent 8X10s, 5 megapixels, only 1 second delay between shots, excellent on batteries. Can be bought for between $250 and $270. Takes AA rechargeable batteries. At that price leaves you enough for a memory card.

I have a Fuji S7000 with all the bells and whistles including extra lenses and a Kodak 6490. Which one do I use for most of my pictures? The Kodak because it has a charging dock, it is light weight, has a 10X zoom and takes great pictures. It only has 4 mega pixels, but I have taken dozens of very nice pictures with it. There is a newer model of it with 6 mega pixels. Most of the prints I make are 11x14 and many of them are in a gallery right now. I sell prints from that camera often.